Dementia action week: Supporting dementia and poor mental health
Dementia action week is a yearly awareness week that continues to highlight of the importance of increasing our understanding of dementia. This year, the focus continues to be on early diagnosis for people affected by dementia.
There is an estimated 944,000 people in the UK living with dementia. This number is set to increase to over one million by 2023 and 1.6 million 2025. While tangible statistic and research is lacking, we know there is a significant overlap with Dementia and moderate to severe mental health symptoms.
In a previous interview, Dr Nicola Funnell, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director for PMOA said: "People often think about dementia being predominantly memory problems but in many types of dementia, you get many other symptoms including, psychotic symptoms, mood changes or depression and anxiety. It's estimated that throughout the course of the illness approximately 90% of people living with dementia will have one of these additional symptoms.”
Here at the Trust, we routinely support those facing both mental health symptoms and dementia through several services and programmes. Below are a few of the ways we are supporting older adults and those with dementia.
Memory services
Each of our boroughs has a dedicated memory service which offers comprehensive assessment, treatment, and support options to anyone over the age of 18 with mild to moderate memory problems likely to indicate dementia.
The aim of these services is to assess dementia early, and provide a timely diagnosis, so people with dementia and their carers can understand the condition, learn of treatment options and opportunities to participate in research, and connect with appropriate support resources to facilitate living well.
Find out more about our memory services
· Southwark and Lambeth Memory Service
Psychology and Psychotherapy for older adults
We have an expert team who offer a range of specialist, evidence based, psychological interventions to people aged 65 and over who are experiencing moderate or severe mental health difficulties or dementia.
We work with families and others caring for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Services offered include:
- Cognitive behaviour therapy
- Family therapy
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Assessments of cognitive function and advice on strategies to manage these difficulties
- Assessment and advice on managing challenging behaviours in the context of dementia
- We see people in local clinics but can offer home visits
Find out more: Psychology and Psychotherapy for older adults
Croydon Dementia strategic plans
We have been working - in conjunction with Croydon’s Dementia Action Alliance, which includes Croydon Council, Age UK Croydon, local health and social care services, emergency services, the voluntary sector and more - to support delivering better care and support to people living with dementia, their carers and families.
The five key commitments of the strategy are:
- Preventing Well – supporting people to look after their health and wellbeing to reduce the risk of dementia
- Diagnosing Well – delivering a dementia diagnosis in a timely and compassionate way
- Living Well – helping people come to terms with their diagnosis and manage their condition
- Supporting Well – helping people to live as well as possible with dementia in safe and accepting communities
- Ending Life Well – ensuring those with the condition can die with dignity in the place of their choosing.
Find out more: Croydon's dementia strategic plan | Croydon Council
For more information on dementia and the services and support we offer, please visit out website www.slam.nhs.uk
